Fans of Shanghainese soup dumplings are in luck—Nan Xiang has two locations near Philadelphia that offer plenty of options on that front, along with a few other tasty picks that emphasize traditional techniques and flavors.
The brand, part of the Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao family, opened its first location in Flushing (in Queens, New York) in 2006. It quickly developed a reputation for xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and other Southern Chinese comfort foods, earning a Michelin Guide recommendation for nine consecutive years.
The name “Nan Xiang” itself refers to a town near Shanghai where these bites first originated, and the chain has spent time expanding steadily beyond its New York base, including in the suburbs of Philadelphia, where Nan Xiang’s footprint includes two full-service locations.
In Cherry Hill, the location offers diners a broad menu that highlights signature crab and pork soup dumplings alongside pan-fried buns, scallion pancakes and other Shanghainese staples. A few miles northwest in Pennsylvania, Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings in King of Prussia opened a location within the King of Prussia Mall, marking the brand’s first permanent presence in the state. Debuting in 2024, this outlet mirrors its sister restaurants’ mission for authentic flavors with a variety of classic and specialty dumplings, noodles and dim sum.
Both suburban spots carry forward Nan Xiang’s blend of traditional Chinese culinary craft and approachable dining—and that becomes apparent when you walk in. Each space from the brand offers its own design experience, but in KOP, visitors can find nods to the eatery’s Shanghainese roots, while at the Cherry Hill locale, diners can nab a view of the kitchen to see chefs preparing meals.
On to the food—the dining experience here is centered around the locale's namesake, soup dumplings. The pull here versus other eateries of the same cloth is in the details: Nan Xiang highlights “meticulous culinary craftsmanship” when preparing each bite. Philadelphians can try an assortment of the treats with options spanning classic, chicken soup, truffle and pork, vegetable, an option dubbed the Lucky Six (aka an assortment of their top flavors) and the new Mala Beef Soup Dumplings, among others.
The new Mala option is the brand’s star this (very cold) winter. The beef soup dumplings feature tender Basque-style beef that’s wok-tossed with fragrant spices, cumin, and finely chopped bird’s eye chili. The filling is wrapped in Nan Xiang’s signature ultra-thin, house-made soup dumpling skin (a technique that the eatery has perfected over its tenure).
Never tried a soup dumpling? There is a specific approach to how you eat them—which the restaurant more than explains with an illustrated diagram on each table. It’s a few steps and easy to pick up whether it’s been a while or it's your first time: Traditionally, the dumpling is lifted carefully onto a spoon, the skin gently pierced to release the soup inside. The broth is sipped first, before the rest of the dumpling is eaten in one bite.
If the xiao long bao brings people into the venue, other menu items help keep patrons coming back, with a wide array of bites meant to carry the same value that first made Nan Xiang a staple. The menu also highlights starters like pan-fried pork/beef dumplings, Shanghai siu mai, crispy shredded turnip ham puffs, scallion pancakes with sliced beef, plus a wide variety of main dishes that include noodles, soup, fried rice, and even dessert. Most locations also have a list of fruity drinks, teas and other sippers in its repertoire.
While the menu offers plenty to explore, the heart of the experience remains the soup dumpling—carefully pleated, delicately skinned, and filled with deep flavors that reflect years of refinement. It’s the kind of place where xiao long bao aren’t just another menu item, but the reason the restaurant exists in the first place—one spoon, one sip, and one dumpling at a time.
To find out more information on Nan Xiang Cherry Hill (901 Haddonfield Road) and King of Prussia (160 N Gulph Road, Suite 4220), visit nanxiangxiaolongbao.com
